(Newswire.net — May 1, 2017) — The gaming industry, particularly online gaming, forms an integral part of the US economy. According to the American gaming industry data, the industry yields over $240 billion and creates over 1.7 million jobs. Approximately $38 billion is received from the industry in tax revenue. Besides the financial benefits, social gaming is a vital community engagement common across forty states in the country.
The future of the gaming industry may, however, be on the rocks after President Trump assumed office last year. This is based on several factors as discussed below. The rolling out of trade tariffs by President Donald Trump could impact on the cost of gaming consoles as well as other hardware manufactured by leading producers overseas. Such integral aspects of the gaming industry may be exposed to a 5 to 10 percent trade tariff hence limiting their importation into the country. Consoles like the Nintendo switch which is currently trending may be less accessible.
The video gaming industries rely heavily on the talent of immigrants from different regions. The Entertainment Software Association suggests that game development in the United States relies on contributions, innovations, and tales from immigrants of different parts of the world. The storyline, depictions, and cultures enjoyed in the gaming industry are mostly foreign. However, the recent policy on travel and immigration under Trump’s tenure may not enhance this development.
According to the AGA, casino jobs are great jobs that provide a link between the working and the middle-class citizens. These jobs range from software development, engineering, law enforcement, and associates within flagship casino hubs. Very few industries offer this diverse group of workers. Therefore, the AGA seeks to consult with the current President Trump to find a way forward in maintaining the operations of the casino industry legally. That is according to the memo from AGA to the office of the president.
However, the gaming policy under President Trump’s tenure has yielded some fruits in the following sectors.
Illegal Gambling
Under illegal gambling, the industry has formed strong ties with the law enforcement to scrutinize and expose any illegal activities associated with gaming. The initiative focuses on eliminating activities that may lead to funding criminal fronts for activities like human trafficking, money laundering, racketeering, extortion, and fraud. The main areas of interest are illegal sports betting, online sweepstakes cafes, animal fighting, and online betting among others.
Off-Reservation Tribal Gaming
Tribal gaming is one of the aspects of the US gaming industry. Tribal gaming is now supported only in the areas within the borderlines of tribal land which have a history in this form of gaming. It will only be accepted if it follows the regulations set by the state as well as other applicable laws.
Immigration
There are reforms geared towards promoting a reasonable approach towards the US immigration system. The AGA is pushing for the current government to provide security through immigration systems however in a way that economic growth isn’t undermined in any way. That is following the fact that the gaming systems are partly supported by great minds from the neighboring regions and continents. Travel and tourism policies will also have to be reviewed based on AGA’s argument in the memo.
About the Author:
Randy Williams has been working as a publicist at PokerStop for many years, where he writes about poker events, offers, and poker news.